ANRF has invited applications for the PM Early Career Research Grant, offering up to Rs 60 lakh plus overheads for three-year projects. The application deadline is December 2, 2026, with eligibility depending on qualifications, regular employment, age and institutional joining dates.
PM Early Career Research Grant Funding
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation has opened applications for the Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant, providing an opportunity for eligible researchers to develop independent projects with substantial financial support.
According to the announcement described in the source article, selected applicants can receive up to Rs 60 lakh, along with institutional overhead charges, over three years. Applications opened on November 3 and will close on December 2, 2026. ANRF plans to award up to 700 grants annually across different subject areas.
The funding can support research equipment, project personnel, consumables, travel and contingency expenses. The scheme also includes provisions for open-access publication fees, patent filing and international travel connected with project activities.
This is a one-time career support scheme. The project duration cannot be extended beyond three years, making a realistic research plan and budget important parts of the proposal.
PM Early Career Research Grant Eligibility
Holding a PhD alone does not establish eligibility. Applicants must also meet the scheme’s employment, age and experience requirements.
Eligible qualifications include a PhD in Science or Engineering, or an MD, MS, MDS or MVSc degree. Candidates must hold a regular academic or research position at a recognised institution, national laboratory or research and development organisation.
The upper age limit is 42 years, with a three-year relaxation for SC, ST, OBC, persons with disabilities and women applicants. Researchers would ordinarily need to apply within two years of joining their institution.
For the current cycle, a one-time relaxation allows applications from researchers who joined their institutions on or after February 1, 2023.
Indian citizens can apply. Eligible Persons of Indian Origin and Overseas Citizens of India working at recognised, publicly funded research institutions in India may also apply with an Indian Co-Principal Investigator, subject to the prescribed conditions.
Research associates, postdoctoral fellows, guest faculty, consultants, project fellows and annually renewed contractual faculty are excluded. Previous recipients of specified SERB or ANRF grants are also ineligible under the relevant restrictions.
PM Early Career Research Grant Application
Applications must be submitted online through the official ANRF application portal. Existing SERB Online users can use their previous login credentials, while new applicants must register.
Candidates should complete their user profile with their biodata, photograph and institutional information before entering the proposal details. The application requires a project title, summary, objectives, keywords, expected outcomes and proposed budget.
The technical document must be uploaded as a single PDF file no larger than 10 MB. Applicants must also attach the supporting documents and complete the online submission before the December 2 deadline.
A clear proposal should explain the research question, planned work and expected contribution. The proposed expenditure should correspond to the project’s activities and three-year duration.
PM Early Career Research Grant Documents And Selection
Applicants need to prepare their biodata, a certificate from the Principal Investigator and an endorsement letter from the head of their institution. Age proof must be provided through a Class 10 marksheet or birth certificate.
A category certificate is required wherever applicable for age relaxation. A plagiarism undertaking must also accompany the application. The supporting documents should be uploaded in PDF format as prescribed.
Selection will depend on recommendations from an Expert Committee. The maximum funding amount is a project grant for selected proposals, rather than an automatic payment to every eligible applicant.
Researchers planning to apply should check the complete scheme conditions, particularly employment status, previous grant restrictions and the joining-date relaxation, before submitting their proposals.
